ICE hire assistant coachPosted: July 10, 2012

Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, July 9 announced the club has hired Chad Kletzel as their new assistant coach. Kletzel, who has signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third year, replaces Todd Johnson who was named head coach for the University of Regina Men’s Hockey Team in April.

“It is very exciting for our organization to have Chad join our coaching staff. He is a teacher by trade so he will be able to relate to the needs and wants of today’s generation of hockey players. Chad also played in our League as has coached at different levels of minor hockey which will definitely be an asset to our Club,” Chynoweth said.

“Chad is very passionate to begin coaching in the Western Hockey League. Our players will benefit a great deal from his playing experiences and his knowledge of the game,” commented newly-hired head coach Ryan McGill.

Kletzel played three seasons in the WHL with the Edmonton ICE (1996-1997 with current head coach Ryan McGill) and Lethbridge Hurricanes (1997-1999). He also won a RBC Cup national championship with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1999-2000. Chad also played three years with the University of Lethbridge (2001-2004) and achieved two degrees during his tenure at the U of L; a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education. For the past four years he has been coaching with the Lethbridge Athletic Association, including last year as head coach of the Midget AAA team.

Chad is a native of Indus, Alberta. Hewill be joining the ICE on July 30.

The club also announced that assistant coach Jerry Bancks will return for his third season with the club.